Embracing Change at City Hall: A Fresh Start in Clayton

Shared Correspondence from the Community: We value the diverse perspectives of our readers and aim to encourage meaningful conversations. Occasionally, we may share excerpts from correspondence received from our followers or gathered from social media to promote civil discussions. While we may not always agree with the opinions shared, we believe in facilitating a platform for respectful debates. Thank you for contributing to the ongoing conversation in the comments section. Remember to keep your comments respectful and concise.

------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Clayton Community,

There has been a noticeable shift at City Hall since the introduction of the new staff. Over the past several months, the progress we've seen is not only evident but genuinely promising. Despite the continued complaints from a former council member, a current council member, the editor of The Pioneer, and a group of critics who only showed up to council meetings to voice their disdain, the results speak for themselves: the turnover at City Hall has led to a revitalized team that is truly committed to the job.

It's important to emphasize that the resignation of past city manager Bret Prebula and his team marked a pivotal turning point. Contrary to the criticisms of those still holding onto the past, this was, in hindsight, one of the best things to happen for Clayton. Prebula's decision to align himself politically with certain council members was a direct violation of the professional boundaries expected from a city manager. The worst misstep, however, was his resignation letter, which he co-authored with The Pioneer publisher Tamara Steiner. In it he essentially declared that Clayton would never recover from its staff turnover and rebuild effectively.

Funny enough, it seems that some of us in the community were once expected to "eat crow" are now witnessing the very people who supported Prebula eating their own words. The new staff we have in place respects the importance of remaining apolitical, which is essential for proper governance.

While the critics continue to harp on the past turnover, they fail to acknowledge the very real issues we had with previous city managers and a dysfunctional staff—particularly in the finance department. The reality is, we've made significant strides forward with the new team in place. The results are clear: our city is improving, and our staff is dedicated to the job at hand.

To those who continue to focus on past turnover, we say: look at the progress we’re making today. It's time to move forward. Continuing to dwell on past grievances is a waste of time and energy, especially when we're on the path to solving Clayton's longstanding issues. If you don’t want to be part of the solution, please, don't become part of the problem.

Thanks for reading,

Randy Waterhouse

Clayton Resident